Bridge Church, Sunday, January 3, 2009 the lusts of deceit, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your

Life in Christ mind, 24 and put on the new self , which in the likeness of God has
been created in righteousness and holiness of the truth.
Ephesians 2:1-9, Connected, part 1
A place where we KNOW & DO GOD’S WILL.

Romans 12:1-2 - 1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's

Our Journey
mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to
God--this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any
1 Peter 3:18 (ESV) - “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the
longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the
righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God…”
renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve
what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.
In CHRIST, On MISSION, For OTHERS.
A place where we FIND REAL LIFE.
Where am I?
John 10:10 - The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I
Ephesians 2:1-9 have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.

 All humanity begins IN SIN & SELF. verses 1-3 John 5:24 - whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me
has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over
 God, IN MERCY & KINDNESS, loved us. verses 4-7 from death to life.

 By FAITH, we can move to LIFE IN CHRIST verses 8-

10  Your Boarding Pass: SALVATION BY
FAITH IN CHRIST
Making the Connection TO LIFE IN Jesus Christ is the ONLY WAY TO GET TO GOD.
CHRIST:
John 14:6 - "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes
 The Destination: SPIRITUAL MATURITY IN to the Father except through me.
CHRIST. 1 John 5:11-12 - 11 And this is the testimony: God has given us
eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has
What does it mean to be in Christ?
life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
A place where we BECOME WHAT WE’RE NOT.
If you want to connect with God you must
Transformation.
RECEIVE CHRIST.
Ephesians 4:22-24 - in reference to your former manner of life, you
lay aside the old self , which is being corrupted in accordance with
John 1:12-13 - 12 Yet to all who received him, to those who believed experience the power of God without a personal
in his name, he gave the right to become children of God-- testimony.
13 children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a

husband's will, but born of God. Matthew 16:15-17 (NIV) – 15 …what about you?" he asked. "Who do
you say I am?" 16 Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the
 Your Vehicle: THE CHURCH Son of the living God." 17 Jesus replied, "Blessed are you, Simon son
of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my
The church is GOD’S VEHICLE FOR THE TRUTH. Father in heaven.

1Timothy 3:15 - 14 Although I hope to come to you soon, I am
writing you these instructions so that, 15 if I am delayed, you will
know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household,
which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of
the truth.
Ephesians 3:10 - His intent was that now, through the church, the
manifold wisdom of God should be made known
The church is WHERE EVERY BELIEVER
BELONGS.
Ephesians 2:19 - you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow
citizens with God's people and members of God's household
Romans 12:4-5 - 4 Just as each of us has one body with many
members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so
in Christ we who are many form one body, and each member
belongs to all the others.
Have you been there?
Jesus was saying, “Peter, your blessed because you
have experienced yourself & God has opened your
eyes to the truth. Not somebody else’s truth, but
yours.
Matthew 16:17 (The Message) - God bless you, Simon, son of
Jonah! You didn't get that answer out of books or from teachers. My
Father in heaven, God himself, let you in on this secret of who I
really am.
Do you want to know the secret? The secret to eternal
life, to real life, to connecting with God? Give your life
to Christ, connect with His body, the Church.
Have I been there?
 I made the connection at ___________________. “I’ve
given my life to Jesus Christ.”
 I’ve connected with God’s family at ___________
Church. “I’ve committed to this fellowship of
believers.”
 I’m in route to all God has for me IN CHRIST!

What are you basing your experience of God on?

“I have a friend that’s been there.”

“I’ve read about it.”
“I hope to go there one day.”

We’re talking about life & death here. You need to

have made the trip yourself. No one can have life, can